Keeping to the right !!!
We are off next week to Europe and just wondering what method all you good folk use to drive on the right. Its so easy to have a lapse in concentration. A Sat Nav that say's " you are driving on the wrong side of the road " would be good. Any other more
realistic ( or amusing ) ideas ?
Comments
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Driving on the right is no problem, but you do need extra care on these unsurfaced roads, which are common in Latvia, if you are up that way?
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When my children were small they used to shout 'Keep your bum in the gutter' and it's amazing how it sticks and helps you to work out which way to go around roundabouts, pull out of fuel stations, etc.. Now I just say 'gutter' every so often as a reminder. Sometimes we have more difficulty driving on the 'wrong' side when we come home again!
Other people just stick a post it note on the wheel with a large arrow pointing to the right!
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I like the gutter idea Valda. The funnier the better. Nice one .
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I never thought that driving on the right was difficult until I was driving round a roundabout in the Dordogne and a French plated Peugeot was coming straight towards me. Luckily we both stopped almost bumper to bumper. It was then that I realised that
I was going round in the correct anti-clockwise and right side of the road and he was on the wrong side. He lowered his window and in a very plum voice shouted "sorry my mistake". He then reversed back and we went on our way.Personally I have never found it difficult to get used to driving on the right.
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As stated the other traffic generally keeps you on the right side of the road. The only time we ever came unstuck was many years ago when we stopped on a sparsley used road in the middle of woodland for lunch. On pulling back onto the road we had traveled
quite a distance before I suddenly realised we were on the left. Fortunately before we met any other traffic.0 -
The only time I had a problem was negotiating an unmade road when i was weaving round potholes. Upon encountering an oncoming car doing the same, I instinctively pulled to the left before realising my error. Fortunately we were both travelling at walking
pace.My old TomTom Go 700 reminds me to drive on the right each time I turn it on once I've told it which country I'm in.
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We've been driving in Europe for years now and like Valda I always think I should be near the kerb. The only problems I have is in some places I have driven local priority defers preference to traffic coming in from the right when you often think you have
priority. Happened twice this last holiday, fortunately without mishap as I noticed them whilst not driving. Just be extra vigilant of any local customs like only parking on the right and not llike you often see here where we park any which way or parking
on certain side of the road depending on which day it is.Try to notice what local drivers are doing especially when you are not driving.
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In France look out for road signs at junctions and roundabouts. A sign on the right pointing left means 'straight ahead', there are no 'arrow pointing at the sky' signs as we have. You may have to go round a roundabout until you find a sign on the left pointing right which means 'this exit'. There are several combinations of signs on the left and right pointing right or left. If in doubt, go round the roundabout until you're happy!
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Thank you all for those very helpful tips. We will certainly be putting some to good use. Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Model Valley hear we come.
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Should have been Mosel Valley. Blessed auto spell check.
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We had a problem in Portugal some years ago ,when out one day with friends,and we saw a great spot with views and cafe,and our friend (the driver) forgot and just turned left and we were hit by another car,no injuries but cars both write offs
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Getting back on track...
A simple aide memoir is 'Left Shoulder to the Middle'
In a past life I left the UK on a call out to Canada, LHD right side of road. Had to take client to Jamaica, RHD left side of road, arrived at mine site LHD left side of road, return to hotel RHD left side of road, return to Canada LHD right side of road.
It;s easy really.Right side of the road is not the correct side of the road
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Getting back on track...
A simple aide memoir is 'Left Shoulder to the Middle'
In a past life I left the UK on a call out to Canada, LHD right side of road. Had to take client to Jamaica, RHD left side of road, arrived at mine site LHD left side of road, return to hotel RHD left side of road, return to Canada LHD right side of road.
It;s easy really.Right side of the road is not the correct side of the road
Thanks Keefer for getting back on track - there are obviously posters who think that 'keeping to the right' is a political statement!
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I have never really had a problem towing the van in France one point to note is the roads are so much quieter then at home so you dont have as much pressure on you, take it steady and enjoy the route, as said my Tom Tom go Sat nav reminds you which side
of the road you should be on, roundabouts i find easy to navigate you would need to go out of your way to physically go around them the wrong way only thing i usually mess up on is over head traffic signals.0 -
Having driven extensively in the US and Europe I have never found it a problem- famous last words! This year in France a couple of times drivers have nearly come out in front of me from side roads joining from the right. Of course "priorité à droite" was
dropped many years ago but maybe old habits die hard. I tend to be wary of this in France.0 -
"If/when the odious Sturgeon gets you independance in your once in a life time vote ......again .... you can give it a go north of the border
"As a Scot (and SNP) supporter I find your remark unnecessarily offensive. I have plenty of opinions about many of your English politicians, but I wouldn't dream of voicing them on a forum that is supposed to be a friendly exchange of information on Continental
touring.Give me your hand & I'll help you down from your high horse ...... Both Sturgeon & her fellow fish, Salmond, couldn't give a monkey's about the electorate. They're in it for themselves.
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"If/when the odious Sturgeon gets you independance in your once in a life time vote ......again .... you can give it a go north of the border
"As a Scot (and SNP) supporter I find your remark unnecessarily offensive. I have plenty of opinions about many of your English politicians, but I wouldn't dream of voicing them on a forum that is supposed to be a friendly exchange of information on Continental
touring.Give me your hand & I'll help you down from your high horse ...... Both Sturgeon & her fellow fish, Salmond, couldn't give a monkey's about the electorate. They're in it for themselves.
Pathetic. Stick to the subject. If you've nothing constructive to say on the topic, then say nothing.
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I bought a little transparent windscreen sticker on the ferry that showed the correct way to use a roundabout.
French drivers need to buy these.
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Moderator Comment
I have had to delete many posts from this thread which were either political comments or off topic banter between two posters. Please respect the question asked by the OP. Thanks to all those posters who have stuck to the subject matter.
David
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Of course "priorité à droite" was dropped many years ago but maybe old habits die hard. I tend to be wary of this in France.
It's still occasionally present - you need to look for the yellow diamond signs. If there's a diagonal black bar through it then priorité-à-droit applies. You also need to look for a crossroads sign where the cross is a St Andrew's shape - this again means you do not have priority.
I've tried to include pictures but can't remember how!
This is a good explanation: http://www.horizonmotorcycletours.co.uk/the-confusing-priorite-a-droit-rule-in-france-explained/
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Thank you all ( or most of all ) for your kind feedback. As always it is very helpful sharing tips and experiences. So with bottoms in the gutter, the wife on the left and stickers on the wheel we can't go wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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